Except Lamar, they were all strong men. Balin, Daksh, and Nard were ex-acolytes. Hanif had grumped over losing them, claiming they were top level fighters—a high compliment from him. Lamar was one of the eleven Invisible Swords who had survived the ambush. With Gurice, Mojag, Jaft, and Elek, Rendor’s team had nine people. So why the scowl?

“That’s good. Is everyone entering the city this darkness?”

“Yes. Gurice and Mojag assured me they could obtain the supplies without delay.”

“Will everyone be able to leave at angle zero?”

“That is my plan. If we run into anything unexpected, we might have to stay another sun jump.”

Her stomach twisted with just the thought of waiting that long for news. “Do you need another magic wielder?”

“No.”

Short and to the point. Was he afraid she’d order Jayden to tag along? Or that she’d join them and take over his mission? She’d told everyone she trusted him. So she kept those thoughts quiet. “All right. What else do you need. Osees?”

“No. Nothing else. But I want to know something.”

Oh boy. Shyla laced her fingers together to keep from cringing at the rumble of anger in his tone. “Go ahead, ask.”

“When were you planning on telling me you read my soul?”

“I didn’t—”

“So you lied to everyone?”

“No. I… When I first woke The Eyes, your and Hanif’s thoughts inundated me. I didn’t know how to block either of you. At that time, I picked up on your sincerity, your desire to atone, and your emotions. It was all there on the surface. I didn’t probe deeper. But I trusted you before that. Otherwise I’d never have asked you to become a member.” And to cut her eyes out, but she wisely refrained from reminding him.

“I remember. You trusted me to join the Invisible Sword, but I also distinctly remember you saying you wouldn’t risk your heart. Not until I proved myself to you. You know how I feel about you. Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you…”

Jump into his arms? Like she’d promised. Pain had replaced the anger in his voice, making it worse. “I…”

“You don’t share the same feelings,” he said. “That’s why you’ve been keeping your distance. Why you didn’t respond to that idiot in the common room.”

“No. That’s not… What about at the monastery?”

“What about it?”

“We…”

“Shared a sleeping cushion. To sleep.”

He made it sound so…ordinary. “Yes, but I…” The right words remained elusive. She struggled to extract them from deep within her. Why was this so hard?

“You…what? You’re embarrassed? Is that why you only showed me you care when the Invisible Swords couldn’t see us? Or is it that you don’t want my history to tarnish your leadership?”

“No! I…”